Reliance Jio hits out at Airtel's 'anti-competitive behaviour'

More than two crore calls are failing everyday between the two networks, which is far in excess of QoS parameters and of alarming proportions, Reliance Jio said.TNN | Updated: September 19, 2016, 17:57 IST

MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm on Sunday welcomed Bharti Airtel's decision to provide more points of interconnection to the company. However, the quantum of POIs proposed to be released by Airtel is substantially less than the requirement estimated based on transparent workings shared with Airtel, the company said.

"Based on the current traffic flow between the two networks, the proposed augmentation by Airtel would still only suffice for less than one-fourth of the required interconnection capacity," the company said in a statement.

More than two crore calls are failing everyday between the two networks, which is far in excess of QoS parameters and of alarming proportions, Reliance Jio said.

"Urgent steps are required to be taken in the interest of customers of both operators. It is unfortunate that TRAI's intervention was required for Airtel to resume augmentation of POIs, which it ought to have done by itself in compliance with its license terms," the company said.

Reliance Jio hit out at Airtel for anti-competitive behaviour, but said it will continue to work with all operators to resolve this issue at the earliest and ensure that Indian customers get best-in-class services.

Reliance Jio also accused Airtel of blocking the mobile number portability ("MNP") facility for its subscribers who wish to subscribe to Jio services on baseless and unsubstantiated grounds.

"This is another example of disregard of license terms and its obligations under the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulations, 2009 ("MNP Regulations") and TRAI directions. This is again an anti-competitive move aimed at stifling a new operator, denying the Indian customers the benefit of choice of service provider. This is against public interest and fair play," the company said.